How to Communicate Questions or Concerns

The Rochester School District Board of Directors Welcomes You!

How to Communicate Questions or Concerns

Before coming to the School Board with a specific question, concern, or issue, we encourage you to begin with the staff member closest to the concern. Most complaints can be resolved by informal discussions with the staff member.

At each "step," the person with the concern should request the person at the level to assist them in the process of moving an unresolved question or concern to the next level.

Discuss the issue first with the teacher, guidance counselor, or staff member closest to the concern.

If the issue is not resolved, visit with the principal (this may be the first step if it is a school-wide concern).

If the issue is not satisfactorily resolved at the building level, contact the district office at (360) 273-5536.

If still not satisfied, file a written complaint with the Superintendent's office, describing the problem, the steps taken to resolve the issue and a suggested solution. The Superintendent will send copies to the principals and any staff member involved in the complaint. The Superintendent will then attempt to resolve the matter through a conference with the citizen, staff member(s), and principal.

If still unresolved and after all other avenues have been exhausted, the Superintendent will present the issue to the Board. The Board will attempt to make a final resolution of the matter. Complaints against a staff member must be submitted in writing. The Board may call an executive session to discuss the matter. Any formal actions by the Board will take place at an open meeting.

Public Comment Protocol

The purpose of a school board meeting is to complete the board's work in public. There are two opportunities for “Public Comment” built into each business meeting agenda. Visitors are allowed to address the board only during these designated times. The first “Public Comment” time is specifically to take comment on agenda items. If you would like to speak about a topic not on the agenda, you can do this during the final “Public Comment” time. The following guidelines are stated to assist you in following the board approved operating agreement:

Sign in on the Public Comment clip board and include your topic.

Limit your comments to 3 minutes or less.

The Board assumes that you have shared your concerns at the appropriate level (teacher, principal, superintendent) prior to presenting them to the Board.

Do NOT use the names of staff members during public comment.

The Chairperson may limit the number of comments per subject.

The Board will listen to comments but will not discuss the item unless the topic is on the board agenda.

Remember that the Board generally needs to gather additional information about concerns prior to taking action.

If visitors make comments outside of their designated “Public Comment” time, he/she will be asked to stop. If the visitor continues, the chairperson will ask the visitor to leave the board meeting.

If a visitor wishes to give the board written comments, he/she is asked to please sign and date all correspondence.

Rochester School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identify, disability, the use of a trained guide dog or service animal, or any other basis prohibited by law. We also provide equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Coordinator: Kim Fry (360) 273-9242, kfry@rochester.wednet.edu; Title IX Coordinator: Will Maus (360) 273-5958, wmaus@rochester.wednet.edu; 504/ADA Coordinator: Laura Staley (360) 273-5536, lstaley@rochester.wednet.edu. Address: 10140 Highway 12 SW, Rochester, WA 98579.